🏮 January 2026 Philippine Festivals: A Colorful Start to the New Year

If there's one thing I love about the Philippines (aside from the breathtaking landscapes and warm people), it's our rich tradition of celebrating life through festivals. And January? It kicks off the year with some of the country’s most colorful and meaningful fiestas, from solemn religious processions to joyful street parades.

Whether you're a culture lover, a travel junkie, or someone just looking for an authentic local experience, these January festivals offer a unique glimpse into Filipino heritage and community spirit.

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🎉 Start your year with vibrant traditions, colorful parades, and deep-rooted Filipino culture. January in the Philippines bursts with energy, spirituality, and street revelry. Whether you’re after dance competitions, religious devotion, or cultural immersion, these festivals are sure to warm your soul and ignite your wanderlust.

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🥁 Top January Festivals in the Philippines 2026

Name of Event	Date/Venue	Brief Description
Fiesta Tsinoy	January 26 Legazpi City	A Chinese New Year celebration participated by the Filipino-Chinese community (Albay Chapter) featuring various activities i.e., Dragon/Lion Dance, Chinese Cultural Program, ancestral veneration within a mass, among others.
Kuyamis Festival	January 6-11 Provincial Capitol ground, MIs. Or.	Kuyamis Festival is the grandest festival in Misamis Oriental, gathering all its towns & cities in Cagayan de Oro City for a week-long non-stop merrymaking. One of the activities that highlight the event is the Kuyamis Festival Street Dancing . It is an annual festivity of thanksgiving and acknowledgment to the customs of the “lumads” who thrived in Misamis with a variety of sweet coconuts as their best food stuff.
Diyandi Festival	3rd Monday of January Balingasag, Misamis Oriental	A celebration of songs, culture and heritage of the Higaonon Tribes of Balingasag.
Feast of the Black Nazarene	January 9 Quiapo, Manila	This feast is celebrated at the heart of Manila- Quiapo. Devotees come from all over the metropolis to participate in this annual event honoring the hundred-year-old statue of the Black Nazarene.
Pasalamat Festival	3rd Week of January Pagadian City	Celebrated annually every 3rd Sunday of January in honor of Sr. Santo Nino and in commemoration of the arrival of the saint’s image in the Philippines and in the City of Pagadian. The Catholic Church spearheads re­ enacbnent on the arrival of the Sto. Nino image through procession. Pasalamat Festival is highlighted with a fluvial parade (regatta), trade exhibits. the Mutya ng Pagadian beauty pageant, carnival shows as well a a civic military parade.
Sinulog Festival	15 January or every second Sunday of January Cebu City	This is an annual festival held in Cebu, which commences nine days before the third Sunday of January.
Ati – Atihan Festival	3rd Sunday of January Kalibo, Aklan	This is an ancient tradition that celebrates the people of Aklan with indigenous origins, eventually honoring the Infant Jesus, Señor Santo Niño. Today, the Ati-Atihan is observed in modern times as a festival dedicated to the Child Jesus. The term “Ati-Atihan” means “merry-making like the Ati,” referring to becoming like the aboriginal natives who are considered the first inhabitants of Aklan and the entire Western Visayas region. Participants smear themselves with soot to darken their skin and dress in tribal finery, complete with the festival’s iconic tasseled headdresses. The procession begins with the vibrant beat of drums and prominent whistles, later punctuated by energetic shouts of “Hala Bira!” followed by “Viva kay Señor Santo Niño!”
The Dinagyang Festival	4th Sunday of January Iloilo	Dinagyang is a Hiligaynon word extrapolated from dagyang meaning “merrymaking” It celebrates the feast of the Infant Jesus and the pact between the Datus and the locals.

🧭 Why Visit the Philippines in January?

🌞 Cool, dry season – Ideal for outdoor festivals
🛐 Rich traditions – Strong devotion to the Sto. Niño
🎵 Non-stop events – Every week brings a new celebration
📷 Instagram-worthy – Color, culture, and community at every turn

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🧳 Travel Tips

• ✅ Pack light but festive – Comfortable clothes, sunscreen, and a raincoat
• 📸 Bring a power bank – Festivals = lots of photos and videos
• 🏨 Book early – January is a peak festival season across the Philippines

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Let’s welcome 2026 with joyful steps, colorful costumes, and stories that stay with us forever. 🇵🇭 Wherever you go this January, may each festival bring you closer to the heart of Filipino culture.

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Source: Tourism Promotions of the Philippines

Disclaimer:
Festival dates and schedules in the Philippines may change without prior notice due to local government decisions, weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances. The information provided here is based on the most recent and reliable sources available at the time of writing. To avoid inconvenience, we highly recommend checking with the local tourism office, event organizers, or official government announcements before making any travel plans.